Device for teaching vocal music



(No Model.)

M. M. VOGT. DEVICE FOR TEACHING VOCAL MUSIC.

Patented Oct. 30, 1894.

fittest 711.46. 20min. 7mm

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARY M. VOGT, OF ROCHESTER, NEYV YORK.

DEVICE FOR TEACHING VOCAL MUSIC.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 528,310, dated October 30, 1894.

Application filed May 28, 1 8 94.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARY M. VOGT, of Rochester,in the county of Monroe and State of New York,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Teaching Vocal Music, which improvement is fully set forth in the followingspecification, and shown in the accompanying drawings.

In teaching vocal music one of the greatest difficulties the instructor has to encounter is the training of the pupil in the proper method of shaping and using the mouth and the throat. The almost universal tendency on the part of persons learning to sing is to hold the mouth and throat in cramped positions, which cause the vocal sounds when uttered to be objectionable on account of lack of volume and fullness and from other causes. The disposition of the pupil is to hold the mouth too nearly closed; and when instructed to further open the mouth the tendency is to go to the other extreme and hold the mouth in some unnatural and awkward position. To overcome these difficulties and to aid the beginner to'more easily acquire the art of singing I have devised my present invention which is to be worn upon the face for the purpose of holding the lower jaw relatively in a proper position so that the mouth may be opened and the throat expanded.

The invention is hereinafter fully described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show the adaptation of the invention to the face of the wearer. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section showing the slots and fastener for the parts. Fig. 4 is a plan further showing the parts and their adjustments. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through the axis of the fastener; and Fig. 6 is an end view of the fastening bolt.

Referring to the parts shown, Ct a are two Serial No, 5 1 2 8 2 3 (N0 model.)

be adjusted to different sized faces. These bars I usually make out of spring brass, and nickel plate them for the sake of appearance. The upper end of each bar is provided with a cushion or pad 0, in position to bear against the cheek of the wearer.

To assist in holding the device in place upon the face I employ an elastic cord d, permanently secured at its ends to the upper ends of the bars a a and adapted to pass over the top of the head, as shown; also an elastic band e is attached at its ends to the bars, below the cushions, to pass horizontal-1y around back of the neck.

In putting this device upon the face, the clamping screw is first loosened and the device expanded and placed so that the pads will be in contact with the cheeks between the jaws or teeth on either side, the mouth being previously opened to the proper position for singing. The bars being then slid upon each other so as to cause the pads to press the cheeks with moderate force between the teeth, the clamping screw is tightened to hold the parts firmly in place. The cord and the band are then put to their proper places over the head and around the neck, respectively, the band being permanently attached at one end to a spring bar (a) and reinovably attached to the other bar by some simple means, as for instance, a rigid stud in the bar and a corresponding slot or opening in the end of the band. Thus put upon the face this device holds the mouth and the throat uniformly in the proper position for vocalization, this being a yawning position or a position substantially such as would be assumed by a person pronouncing the word ah or awe when prolonged and emphasized.

Now the natural position of the lower jaw is that in which the mouth is closed with the upper and lower teeth in contact. Therefore there is no tendency of the lower jaw to drop away from the pads, while on the other hand, the pressure of the pads acts to prevent the jaw from rising. On account of these things the mouth is held easily in the proper position for vocalization; and this position,

it is to be noted, does not prevent the wearer from closing the lips, and does not interfere with a proper pronunciation of words.

After being worn for a short time or during a few lessons-the mouth and throat of the pupil become accustomed to the proper positions and this device may then be laid aside as it is not further needed.

When worn the device acts as a rest or support for the lower jaw as no muscular effort is required to hold the jaw or the mouth in position; on account of which, while the device materially aids the pupil its use is not tiresome and it is not unpleasant to wear. \Vhen a special efiort is made to hold the mouth and the throat in some unusual position the vocal organs are hampered and their free vibrations are materially interfered with. \Vhile the device is in place upon the face all the muscles of the throat and the mouth are relaxed and at rest; on account of which the voice is more easily used, resulting in sweeter tones. I

I prefer to form the lower end of the upper bar with an upturned end f, and the corresponding end of the lower bar straight, as shown. In shifting the bars upon each other when contracting the device said end of the upper bar is liable to come in contact with the curved part of the contiguous bar in which case unless said end of the bar were curved the bars would be apt to be slightly separated and not lie flat together.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is 1. A device adapted to be placed upon the face to aid in singing, consisting of two slotted, curved, overlapping bars and a fastener therefor, each bar being provided at its free end with a pad or cushion in position to press the sides of the face, substantially as shown and described.

2. A device to be worn upon the face by a person learning to sing, consisting of two curved, overlapping bars, formed with slots in the contiguous parts, and a fastener for said bars occupying the slots, the bars being adjustable upon each other and of a yielding nature and each provided with a pad to press the check of the wearer, in combination with elastic holders secured to the bars in positions to pass over the head and back of the neck respectively, substantially as shown and described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 21st day of May, 189i, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARY M. VOGT.

Witnesses:

E. B. WHITMORE, M. L. WINSTON. 

